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Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer in the United States is $79,702 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,209
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,602 to $85,202
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,048
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salaries

An Entry Level Aerospace Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Level Aerospace Engineer (0-2 years): $79,655
  • Aerospace Aviation Engineer II (2-4 years): $95,651
  • Aerospace Aviation Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,733
  • Aerospace Aviation Engineer IV (7+ years): $140,155
  • Aerospace Aviation Engineer V (7-10 years): $161,819
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Level Aerospace Engineer0-2 years$79,655
Aerospace Aviation Engineer II2-4 years$95,651
Aerospace Aviation Engineer III4-7 years$110,733
Aerospace Aviation Engineer IV7+ years$140,155
Aerospace Aviation Engineer V7-10 years$161,819
View as Graph

How Do Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Level Aerospace Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $88,202.
  • California: $87,902.
  • Massachusetts: $86,702.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Aerospace Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $100,502
  • San Francisco: $99,402
  • Oakland: $97,302

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 21.59% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Technical Support (Mentioned in 2.65% Job Postings): Offering hands-on assistance and solutions to end-users in addressing and troubleshooting technical issues.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 21.59%
Technical Support 2.65%
Agile 1.89%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer's salary.

  • Strategic Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Resilience: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Strategic Thinking $90,063
13%
Consulting $90,063
13%
Resilience $89,266
12%
Get Latest Data

Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Level Aerospace Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,357. While startup companies pay approximate $74,876.

Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $74,876
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,146
Established 501~5000 $85,360
Enterprise 5000+ $88,357

Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Level Aerospace Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Aerospace Engineer positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Aerospace Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$103,613$50.030%
Aerospace & Defense$95,642$46.020%
Energy & Utilities$87,672$42.010%
MFG Durable$83,687$40.05%

How Education impacts an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Aerospace Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $81,902 and $85,550).

Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Aerospace Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 2.4%
Associates 3.3%
Bachelors 53.7%
Masters 31.8%
Doctorate 8.2%
View as Graph

Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$73,602
Average $79,702/year
$85,202
$6,134
Average $6,642/month
$7,100
$1,415
Average $1,533/week
$1,639
$35
Average $38/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $85,202 $7,100 $1,639 $41
Average $79,702 $6,642 $1,533 $38
25th Percentile $73,602 $6,134 $1,415 $35

Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Entry Level Aerospace Engineer

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aviation Engineer II $95,700 20%
Airport Design Engineer $73,401 -8%
Aerospace Aviation Engineer II $95,690 20%
Intermediate Engineer $92,200 16%

Most common benefits for Entry Level Aerospace Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Level Aerospace Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Aerospace Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Level Aerospace Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Level Aerospace Engineer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Aerospace Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paying job in the world?

While CEO positions are often cited as the highest paying jobs globally, entry-level aerospace engineers also earn competitive salaries. The salary range for this role typically starts at $79,302, with a mid-level salary of $86,102, and can go up to $92,302. This reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals in the aerospace industry.

3. How hard is it to get a job at NASA?

Getting a job at NASA can be quite challenging due to their rigorous selection process. Applicants need strong academic credentials and relevant experience. For entry-level aerospace engineers, salaries range from $79,302 to $92,302, with a median salary of $86,102, reflecting the competitive nature of these positions.

4. What is a good Entry Level salary in us?

A good entry-level salary for an Aerospace Engineer in the USA ranges from $79,302 to $92,302 annually, with a median salary of $86,102. This is significantly higher than the general entry-level average, reflecting the specialized skills and education required in this field.

5. What is the minimum salary of aerospace engineer in US?

The minimum salary for an entry-level aerospace engineer in the US is $79,302. The average salary is around $86,102, with the potential to earn up to $92,302.

6. What is the lowest salary for an aerospace engineer?

The lowest salary for an entry-level aerospace engineer is approximately $79,302 per year. For those with 0-5 years of experience, the average salary typically ranges from $79,302 to $92,302, with a mid-salary of around $86,102. As experience increases, salary ranges also rise significantly.

7. How much does a beginner NASA engineer make?

An Entry Level Aerospace Engineer at NASA can expect a salary ranging from $79,302 to $92,302, with a median salary of approximately $86,102 per year. This reflects the competitive compensation for engineers starting their careers in this prestigious organization.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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